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21 October 2011

Color Palette Blog Walk 3: What Brings You Joy?

"Enjoy life. It is not a dress rehearsal."

My father says 'life is not a dress rehearsal' all the time. I just found this quote and it is particularly perfect since today is the Color Palette Blog Walk 3 hosted by the fabulous Miss Brandi of Brandigirl Blog. She challenged us to see the beauty around us while focusing on that which brings us joy. That is quite open to interpretation!

The only other requirement is that you have taken the photos yourself. So I set out to find those things that bring me great joy.

Twenty-six years ago a shy boy named Paul asked out a geeky girl name Erin. They dated for a month before he took her to the Homecoming dance on October 12, 1985. This picture was taken at her grandmother's house when he came to pick her up. Little did she know that not only would their first kiss be later that night (one that knocked her shoes off ~ literally ~ the same as today.). That night would change the course of their lives. Forever. I love this picture because we seem blissfully unaware of the life that lay before us, that this pivotal moment was about to come. And seven years later, on October 24th, 1992 this pair would say their vows by the flicker of candlelight in a rare nighttime wedding ceremony. Being Paul's wife for 19 years and together for 26 (but knowing each other for 33!) has been the single greatest extended moment of joy in my life.

I am so proud to be your mother, Rocket. The moment that I decided that my life was not complete without you was one that I will never forget. I love to watch you explore your God given talents and to excel at the things you love. Chief among them is your athletic prowess on the baseball field. I simply cannot.get.enough of you and your friends as you play America's greatest game. I hope to watch you play this game you love for many years to come.

I remember the day that you were born, Tiny Dancer. It was filled with such joy and an outpouring of love from your father and me. Each day you are blossoming into the most beautiful soul and it humbles me to be the witness to your transformation. Your personality is shining and those around you can't help but be charmed by you. You have a wonderful way of expressing yourself, through words, music and dance. You are my greatest treasure and being your momma brings me much joy.

I took this picture during the final game of the traveling baseball season. A storm was rolling in but up in the sky just beyond third base, it looked as if God were smiling down on the team. There was no enhancing of this photo. It reminds me that there is a higher power to believe in. Being a part of the awesome work that is to be done here on earth is a great responsibility but also a wonderful opportunity. For heaven isn't just some far away place, up in the clouds. It is right here in you and me.

I took this picture during the Inspired by Nature retreat on the shores of Lake Michigan. The sky seemed to be melting that night. I did not enhance this picture at all, and each was more incredible than the last. The joy that I felt when surrounding myself with the creative community has been the fuel for my passion. I can truly feel that I am meant to teach and inspire and encourage creativity, which is what this retreat weekend taught me. That and I value the friendships that I have made.

Looking back as I drove home from Galena, IL, I spied the most incredible sunset. Yes, I was driving down the highway taking pictures of my rear view mirror. No, I would not recommend this. But to be fair, I merely pointed and shot and I am amazed at what I got for not looking through the lens! This picture reminds me of where I came from and where I am going. And to value the journey as much, if not more than, the destination.

Working with other creatives to make art is so inspiring to me, and inspiration is the biggest source of my joy. Right now I am working on a collaboration with an artist to turn these beads of hers into something wonderful for her to share the joy of creating with women on the other side of the world. I am incredibly honored that she chose me to bring these beads to life. Aren't these beads the most awesome thing you have ever seen? Sorry to be a tease, I can't tell you any more, but soon I will reveal more about the collaboration that is causing me all sorts of joy... I promise!

Thank you for sharing in the joy that I find around me. Please visit the other blogs on the Color Palette Blog Walk 3:

20 comments:

Erin, can I just say that your blog is a constant source of joy for me? And here's why: you're an incredible storyteller. I've said it before, and I'll keep saying it, but it's a joy to come and read what you have to say. Thanks for participating!

As much as you've peaked my interest with the beady goodness in the last palette, I have to say that the first palette is my favorite. I love it for the reasons you picked the photo in the first place! You look excited, Paul looks nervous, and you're about to jump in and start defining your lives - only you don't know it just yet. It's also like you're about to start coloring your life in.

Did you notice how a shade of red plays a prominent role in most of your joy?

This exceptional post is about so much more than color, Erin! You have skillfully woven the color into special moments in your life. I agree with the above comments on your writing and story-telling abilities - WAAAAY Above Average! Thank you for sharing your personal joys. To answer your question, I'm going with purple, although blue is very prominent in my life too. www.squidoo.com/colorexpert says that purple uplifts, offers a sense of spirituality, and encourages creativity! Those are good things!

Erin, your post is so beautiful! I can truly see the joy you find in the beauty around you! Gorgeous photos, color palettes and such lovely words! I always enjoy my visit into your world! Thank you for sharing.

Erin, what a great tribute through your pictures and palettes. I love how you shared the joy of your family, singling out each one and sharing things that make them so special. The sunset, clouds and lake shots are incredibly striking, and moving. Wow. You truly captured some amazing nature moments with dramatic colors. I also like how you added texture to your palettes...what a beautiful post. Happy upcoming Anniversary!

I loved the stories about your family, Erin. The Heaven and Melting photos are amazing. My favorite color palette is the rear view picture. I LOVE those beads. I look forward to seeing what you do with them!

I love this idea of using color palettes to inspire writing. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story. Your photos are amazing. I especially loved the one with storm clouds brewing with the sunshine bursting behind, and the "melting" one that followed.

Hi Erin, your color pallets are beautiful, but the pictures and story took my breath away. Seeing you so young and innocent really touched me. Your daughter is so beautiful, lucky to have a mom like you! Riki xox

Can you imagine a world without color? Not me. I love all colors. Joy comes in all colors. I love this post, read it twice. My favorite thing is the picture of you and Tiny Dancer. She is a spittin' image of you. You and your husband look like movie stars. He's adorable!

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